500/750/800/900cc

[drumrnj]

Thank You so much for all your help. I will be working on the bike when i get home from work...around 5 pm. My next step is to Check the oil (which is probobly fine) and then check the plugs and the vacuum hoses.
Also, What are Carb Boots and how do you get them off to use starter fluid ?

[jeffs99vulcan]

What year is it again George? I HIGHLY recommend the Service Manual, if you don't have one, to walk you through tank removal. That way, you won't miss anything, especially when it comes to reconnection...

Getting it started is something we can help with because the principles are the same, but removing the tank is pretty specific bike to bike, and I don't have a ton of experience with the 500...

[drumrnj]

It is a 1994 EN500. I will try and get that Service Manual .
Thanks

[drumrnj]

I just ordered the Service Manual. I should have it in a couple days. I think that is a great thing to have and will help me out so much.
Thanks for the suggestion

[ohsoloco]

I was just poking around on ebay yesterday looking for backrests for my 800A. Seems like some pretty good deals on there (I think around $80 for a backrest w/pad as well as the side mounting brackets).

Question, I have a luggage rack on my bike already. I assume it's the stock one, and it bolts onto the sides of the fender rails (capping them off so to speak) as well as where the back of the seat bolts to the fender. So, can I still use this luggage rack with the side brackets for the backrest?

[jeffs99vulcan]

Originally Posted by ohsoloco

I was just poking around on ebay yesterday looking for backrests for my 800A. Seems like some pretty good deals on there (I think around $80 for a backrest w/pad as well as the side mounting brackets).

Question, I have a luggage rack on my bike already. I assume it's the stock one, and it bolts onto the sides of the fender rails (capping them off so to speak) as well as where the back of the seat bolts to the fender. So, can I still use this luggage rack with the side brackets for the backrest?

I'd have to see it to know what you mean for sure, can you post pics?

[Mercury]

drumrnj, in the mean time while waiting for the service manual, lets check the essentials...

1. I still have not gotton confirmation that you have oil in the bike
2. Gas is full you said - so thats good
3. You tried the petcock in differnt posistions? Try to find "prime" If the bike starts each time but then dies i do not think its flooded

lets not tackle too much at once, one step at a time

kenny

[Baldguy]

George,

Removal the gas tank is not necessary...you just need to move it a bit out of the way or if you have the u-joint adapter for your socket wrench, you don't need to touch the tank.

The fuel tank is held in place at the forward end by two cups, one on each side of the tank, which slide over two rubber dampers on the frame. The rear of the tank is fastened to a bracket by a bolt and rubber insulator, which fit through a flange projecting from the tank.

Remove the seat and disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal.

Remove the bolt securing the rear of the tank to the bracket.

Slide the tank back and off the rubber dampeners. The manual states to locate, mark, and remove the hoses, but I think you're best in just moving the tank to the side ot get to the plugs.

Before doing this, I would recommend that you make sure you have oil in the bike. Then, try to start the bike with the choke to the first detent ONLY. Bike in neutral, NO throttle, and hit the starter button with a duration of no longer than 5 seconds. Do this three or four times. If it doesn't start, get to the plugs.

If you pull the plugs and they're fouled, you have one of two choices, get some new plugs, or take a lighter, you, and the spark plugs outside away from the bike. Lite the lighter and burn the fuel off the business end of the plug. This is how we used to unfoul quad plugs in the desert.

When reinserting the plugs, be sure to hand thread them first; last thing you need is a stripped plug hole. Snug them down, don't overtighten, and replace the plug wire snuggly and it sometimes snaps on.

I think you're fouled on your plugs. Remember, no throttle, minimal choke....when starting the 500....they're warm blooded.

P.S. I have an electronic .pdf manual. I think I'd bring down the email server if I try to email it to you, but we can try. PM me with your email address and I'll see what I can do when I return home tomorrow.

[Mercury]

Originally Posted by Baldguy

George,

Removal the gas tank is not necessary...you just need to move it a bit out of the way or if you have the u-joint adapter for your socket wrench, you don't need to touch the tank.

The fuel tank is held in place at the forward end by two cups, one on each side of the tank, which slide over two rubber dampers on the frame. The rear of the tank is fastened to a bracket by a bolt and rubber insulator, which fit through a flange projecting from the tank.

Remove the seat and disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal.

Remove the bolt securing the rear of the tank to the bracket.

Slide the tank back and off the rubber dampeners. The manual states to locate, mark, and remove the hoses, but I think you're best in just moving the tank to the side ot get to the plugs.

Before doing this, I would recommend that you make sure you have oil in the bike. Then, try to start the bike with the choke to the first detent ONLY. Bike in neutral, NO throttle, and hit the starter button with a duration of no longer than 5 seconds. Do this three or four times. If it doesn't start, get to the plugs.

If you pull the plugs and they're fouled, you have one of two choices, get some new plugs, or take a lighter, you, and the spark plugs outside away from the bike. Lite the lighter and burn the fuel off the business end of the plug. This is how we used to unfoul quad plugs in the desert.

When reinserting the plugs, be sure to hand thread them first; last thing you need is a stripped plug hole. Snug them down, don't overtighten, and replace the plug wire snuggly and it sometimes snaps on.

I think you're fouled on your plugs. Remember, no throttle, minimal choke....when starting the 500....they're warm blooded.

P.S. I have an electronic .pdf manual. I think I'd bring down the email server if I try to email it to you, but we can try. PM me with your email address and I'll see what I can do when I return home tomorrow.

good advice, i would like to add that we used to take emery cloth (for cleraning copper pipes) and use that on the plugs...

kenny

[jeffs99vulcan]

I'm almost more anxious to get this thing going than get my ticking fixed! Baldguy (I hate calling you that, sounds disrespectful!), I set George up with the manual... Hopefully this means he's outside working on it!

Like Kenny said... we have to go one step at a time or poor George will get lost!

[drumrnj]

Ok, Guys ...are you ready for this. I went out and bought three courts of oil, a socket set and coolant to get started (all of which I did not need. Got back to the garage and all set to follow you suggestions step by step. I had notes, the book and I just ordered the service manual.
The oil was fine once I checked it properly with the bike level. The coolant was up to par. I figured I would give it one more shot before removing the plugs and checking the carb.
First try....Nothing
Second try...with no choke...nothing
Third try ...with the choke all the way out...it started and was prety consistant for the first time...
I kept reving the engine and tryed to keep the idle going...
Well, I am not going to bore you with the last hour, but it turns out , it is now running perfectly...I wanted to take it out but there is too much ice around my garage
It seemed at first that there was maybe some dirt in the gas and it had to run its course which is why I had to let it run with full choke, then half choke, then no choke...Keep in mind, it has been extremely cold her for the past few months...I think I really have learned my lesson to keep in garaged and start it at least once a week. Snow and all the **** floating around the New York air is no good for the engine and I did not reallize how easy it can get in and around the bike...
like I said , I am new to this and I have learned so much from all of you. I will run it again tomorrow and keep you posted on all outcomes...
I guess the result could have been much worse. Thanks Again for your help and understanding with my lack of knowledge.
George
let me know if you have any other suggestions.
Is it still necessary to drain the gas tank ?
It seems like the more I run, the smoother the idle is.

[Mercury]

Originally Posted by drumrnj

Ok, Guys ...are you ready for this. I went out and bought three courts of oil, a socket set and coolant to get started (all of which I did not need. Got back to the garage and all set to follow you suggestions step by step. I had notes, the book and I just ordered the service manual.
The oil was fine once I checked it properly with the bike level. The coolant was up to par. I figured I would give it one more shot before removing the plugs and checking the carb.
First try....Nothing
Second try...with no choke...nothing
Third try ...with the choke all the way out...it started and was prety consistant for the first time...
I kept reving the engine and tryed to keep the idle going...
Well, I am not going to bore you with the last hour, but it turns out , it is now running perfectly...I wanted to take it out but there is too much ice around my garage
It seemed at first that there was maybe some dirt in the gas and it had to run its course which is why I had to let it run with full choke, then half choke, then no choke...Keep in mind, it has been extremely cold her for the past few months...I think I really have learned my lesson to keep in garaged and start it at least once a week. Snow and all the **** floating around the New York air is no good for the engine and I did not reallize how easy it can get in and around the bike...
like I said , I am new to this and I have learned so much from all of you. I will run it again tomorrow and keep you posted on all outcomes...
I guess the result could have been much worse. Thanks Again for your help and understanding with my lack of knowledge.
George
let me know if you have any other suggestions.
Is it still necessary to drain the gas tank ?
It seems like the more I run, the smoother the idle is.

This is GREAT news....

IF the engine is cold (-30 degrees) u prolly should use full choke, I use full choke on my bike when it is cold, then knock it down to half choke.

my bike had not run for about 3 weeks and it took longer to start yesterday then normal, full choke took three sessions of about 2 sec each on the starter..

now i would not bother draining the fuel tank, but i would put some "sea foam" in it... look at auto parts stores, it is a great thing, it acts as dry gas and will help clean gummy deposists etc from the fuel system

the worst thing you can do now is let the bike sit and run in the garage, the best thing you can do is to get on it and ride the next day it gets warm enough for you... run it till that tank is low, then put fresh gas in - top it off then store it...

I do not suggest starting it once every 2 weeks or whatever, cause condensation will form, leave the gas tank topped off so no condensation can form in the tank

i hope this helps, and im glad you are up and running

kenny

[WhiteFox]

Glad that this worked out as simple as it did for you. Everyone learned something from the interchange, so once again there are NO DUMB questions.

[cosmicsclassic]

congrats george, sounds like bad gas and dirt,now you've worked on it, learned a little about it, which to me is fun in it's own way, now to ride and have fun with it more. stay safe and come back and visit sometimes.

[jeffs99vulcan]

GREAT TO HEAR George!

Now, if I were you, I'd get some Sta-Bil or Seafoam into it right away... It may have been water in the fuel line, could have been some older gas sitting in the carbs that was starting to clog the jets, or a frozen fuel line... but getting fuel stabilizer through the system while you can still get it started is a MUST!

You need to know that a bike's battery is NOT charging when you start and idle the bike... the bike must be running at 2000-2500 RPM for a sustained period (15-20 minutes) before it charges, so each time you start and idle the bike, you're draining the battery... keep it on trickle charge as often and as long as you can until Spring.

Normally I'd suggest NOT starting it for short periods like that, but in your case, and since we're already at the end of January, it might not be a bad idea, and you DEFINITELY have to get some fuel stabilizer through the system. Next year, we'll get you to winterize it properly and hopefully you won't run into this!

GOOD LUCK!

Oh, and you didn't waste any money... you still needed that battery, you will always use oil, the manual is a MUST... and you should flush and refresh the coolant at the recommended interval anyway. AS soon as you get that manual, study the service section!

[Baldguy]

Congrats George.....!!!!

Eveyone's bike seems to be different IMHO. You've learned one more thing about yours. We are not nearly as cold here in CA so a full choke may be warranted. However, as it warms up in your neck of the woods, be advised that you may not need choke at all and no throttle.

Jeffs99Vulcan....I'm bald, I admit it, I've come to terms with it, and I'll be ok. It's not disrespectful at all.

[drumrnj]

Thanks, I am planning on starting up today. I will not let it run long. I deffinitely dont want to drain the brand new battery. I will pick up that sea foam today. That sounds like a really good idea. I was doing some studying yesterday of the on line manual. I think i will be able to maintain the bike but I would be afraid to do any major work. I dont want to mess anything up.
What did I learn...?
Well deffinitely limit the amount of time I am leaving it outside and ungaraged.
I finally met some good people that can really help and understand my lack of knowledge.
I learned to perform proper maintenance procedures.
and to be a more experienced rider.
Thanks
George

[jeffs99vulcan]

Glad to hear it George! Thanks for the update...

[drumrnj]

Where is the Best Place to Buy Sea Foam? I cant seam to find it in any Auto Parts Store.
George

[WhiteFox]

in washington state we can find it at NAPA, SCHUCKS,